, 1887-05-12
THE CONGO COUNTRY.

For many years o proposition to
build a railroad through the Congo
country was very favorably dis
cussed. Recently there has been
Less certainty that the scheme Is a
good investment, the early reports
Of the great richpess and productive
character Of the country not having
been confirmed by subsequent ex-
plorations. The unfavorable report
by Mr. Tisdel upon the results OF his
expedition not proving satisfactory
to Mr.. Stanley and others, a further
commission was intrusted TO Lieu
tenant Taunt, who has just now SUBJ
mitted to his government report of
his experience. Though less en-
phatic In his conclusions, Taunt does
not speak in much more encouraging
terms of the advantages to be de-
rived from American enterprise
along the Congo than did Tisdel.
The trip from the sea to Stanley
Falls and return was made very
prosperously and in the shortest
time the trip was ever made, four
and one-half months, including q
months stay at LeOpoldville, the
total distance being $500 miles.
There was no actual conflict with the
numerous hostile tribes along the
river, though much caution and tact
was necessary to avoid collision
with the hostile bands that
hovered about the steamer in war
canoes or ran threateningly along the
hanks. The experience was inter-
esting as AN expedition, but not par
ticularly profitable as mission.
\, That is to say Lieutenant Taunt
Mound that, while the reported
wealth of the Upper Congo Valley
mas not been exaggerated. the natural
wealth is undeveloped, nor can 1t be
successfully developed until the
barren, unhealthy region of the
Lower Congo is bridged by steam,
20 that the journey from the sea to
Stanley Pool can be made in as
many hours as 1t now takes days.
Rubber, cam-wood, gum -copal, oil
palms, ivory. iron and copper were
seen in great quantities, while there
are thousands of elephants in and
near the Congo Valley. all this,
however, cannot tempt enterprise
against the perils and obstacles of
river traffic. AS things now are col
onization is out of the question, and
the whole problem of opening up
that country depends, as Lieutenant
Taunt believes, upon the successful
operation of railway, and even
then he sees nothing to tempt
y Americans unless it be the mission
work to be performed. The scheme
of Congo railroad seems therefore
to be more than ever question of
the future.
In the meantime the Portuguese,
who were the first to talk of the
Congo railroad, though they never
got beyond talking, have surprised
everybody, themselves included, by
actually beginning a road to extend
from st. Paul de LOanda into the in
terror. A survey Of over forty miles
OF the road, which will follow the
southern bank of the Bengo river,
has already been completed, and the
line will be carried to Aranbaca, the
present objective, a point $50 miles
inland. The further extension of
the road will depend upon the pros
perity of the present undertaking.
The chief interest in this road Is due
to the effect It may have in revolu.
tionizing African traffic, for what
lNeipplies to tho Coanza, the now
course of traffic, applies with double
force to the Congo. and with the
success of the new railway work
would come a revival of confidence
IN the advantage of the Congo road.
Ihe st. Paul de Loanda road is being
constructed under the direction of
an American engineer, the we'll
known Colonel Davenport, of New
York, which is a guaranty that the
WORK ~ pAssAssssskE AtsssAi,